It seems that these days, employers are asking for all sorts of qualifications from potential applicants, and with the high number of people desperate for jobs, they are likely to find whatever they are looking for. It's worth keeping in mind that one of the most desired skills that employers insist upon is enthusiasm. It's simply not enough to just enjoy what you do, since employers expect new employees to ascribe to the corporate culture show enthusiasm and emotion – even if they fake it.
If you think about it, it's not far fetched that overeager baristas at Starbucks and Apple fanboy salespeople might be faking their enthusiasm. Every company claims they have the most attentive employees around, who represent the brand with empathy and enthusiasm--employees who live the brand. But it's actually a small number of people who are self-actualized and practice this sort of empathy and enthusiasm every minute of the day. So employees often have to throw an internal switch when they get to work. They change for the job.
No matter what sort of job you have, the odds are high that at some point you will be required to show some sort of emotion – whether you actually feel it or not. For example, a waiter might have to sing for a child's birthday, or a grocery clerk might have to carry a customer's bags to her car. Think of companies like little churches--each with their own beliefs and ways. As an employee, you're like a choir member, singing to the customer congregation.
I know that everyone says that you should only do what you love and that if the culture at a workplace isn't a good fit, you shouldn't take it. But what happens when you really want or need the job? Is this sort of forced empathy, positive attitude and enthusiasm fake or does it stem from the want or need?
It seems to me that the jobs that require actual emotional connection and commitment, like being a teacher or a social worker, aren't jobs that pay very well. According to an article at Fast Company about this very topic, if you love the work you do, you shouldn't be doing it for the money. Love and money are two separate pursuits. Jobs that require honest-to-goodness emotional investment aren't necessarily going to be the same jobs that reap huge financial rewards.
What do you think? Have you ever had to fake emotion in order to do a job well? Do you feel that the enthusiasm and adherence to brand values that you see in retail store or elsewhere is genuine? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Image Source: Open Clip Art
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